Buying a house is an exciting time in anyone’s life.
Not only have you worked hard to arrive at a point where buying a home is a possibility for you, but now you can finally have a space that is 100% your own, somewhere you can do whatever you want and make it suitable for yourself.
But, there are a few things to think about as well as questions to ask yourself when considering buying a home to ensure you make an informed decision.
You have to evaluate where you are in your life and what your needs are at the moment and what you may need within the next five years, seeing as a house is a long-term investment and isn’t something you’re going to get rid of anytime soon.
That said, here are some tips that may help you distinguish when it’s time to buy a new home and factors to consider when making the decision.
The first home
One of the major milestones in your life will be when you buy your very first home, and it will probably be a house you’ll remember for the rest of your life, no matter how many you buy afterward.
Knowing when to buy your first home can be intimidating, seeing as you don’t want to make any mistakes and aren’t as familiar with the real estate market yet.
But, there are a few questions you can ask yourself when considering buying your first home.
Depending on your situation, whether you are newlyweds or maybe expecting your firstborn, each situation will have a different list of requirements and deal-breakers.
Say you’re expecting a baby, you’re probably going to want a house without any stairs then, seeing as you’ll be driving yourself crazy worrying about a baby trying to get up and down the stairs.
Or, if you are newlyweds, your priorities may be finding a home that’s close to both your workplaces or something small and easy to keep clean.
Also, ask yourself some questions regarding your needs to establish a comprehensive wishlist before starting the house-hunting process; How many bedrooms do you need?
Should the layout be an open plan? Do you need separate space to set up a home office or study area?
Determining what’s a must will help you immensely when viewing potential homes and may keep you a bit more level-headed when you start to feel frustrated.
Upsizing
Over the years, your family may have grown in size, or you yourself may have grown professionally, bringing about the prospect of buying bigger and better.
This also unlocks a sense of self-achievement because you can look back and see how you’ve climbed the past few years.
Upsizing, although enthralling, can sometimes bring about a bit of confusion and uncertainty; to what degree do you want to upsize?
What added features would you like in a new home that you don’t have in the current one? Would you like to move to a new neighborhood or move somewhere new?
These are all questions that need to be answered before starting to look at potential homes.
One method that may be helpful is having a family meeting and asking each member what they would like in a new home and meeting somewhere in the middle; mom might want a more spacious kitchen, dad would love a room he can utilize as an office or man cave, and the kids might need bigger rooms or their own bathrooms.
Explore all the different options available to you before starting house-hunting, and don’t worry about taking your time, there are more than enough beautiful Midcentury Modern Homes for you to choose from when you feel ready.
Downsizing
Downsizing can be an option for various reasons; all your kids may have gone off to college, leaving with an empty house that’s starting to feel way too big.
Or, you may have considered downsizing due to financial reasons for wanting to take some pressure off the monthly budget.
Downsizing can also be a calming time in your life, and feeling the weight of the world lifting off your shoulders (the weight of the world being a massive house) can be a welcome feeling.
Similar to upsizing, you’ll need to evaluate what you have at the moment and what you’ll still need at your smaller home; what can you go without? What bothers you most at the larger home?
Also, if you are empty-nesters looking for something smaller, consider opting for a lock-up-and-go option to give yourself more freedom to travel and enjoy life.
Knowing when it’s time to make a move may initially feel stressful and daunting, but asking yourself the above questions will allow you to know precisely when the time is right.
(Disclaimer: This content is a partnered post. This material is provided as news and general information. It should not be construed as an endorsement of any investment service. The opinions expressed are the personal views and experience of the author, and no recommendation is made.)